Mondale, Carlson Want Retired Judges to do Redistricting

Source: The Associated Press State & Local Wire
Date: January 11, 2008

Retired judges would take over the task of drawing up new political districts under a plan that aims to take the politics out of redistricting.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Gov. Arne Carlson led a group that developed the proposal, which got a hearing Friday before a Senate panel.

They were joined by former Gov. Al Quie (KWEE), former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz and former Secretary of State Joan Growe.

Mondale and Carlson say it's a conflict of interest for legislators to draw their district boundaries and the courts usually end up doing the final job anyway.

Lawmakers are considering three bills to create an independent redistricting commission.